quái
[kwaːj˧˦]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) freak; monster
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(adjective) strange; odd; weird; bizarre, freakish
Register: informal
Examples
Cái quái gì vậy?The hell is that?
Sao có chuyện quái thế?Why is there such a freakish story?
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(adjective) mischievous, sly
Register: informal
Examples
nghịch quáito play mischievously, to get into mischief
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 4
Meaning · English
(adverb) (not) at all
Register: informal
Examples
Cứ bô bô cái mỏ mà chẳng hiểu quái gì.[Someone] keeps running their trap but doesn't understand anything at all.
Làm quái gì việc vặt ấy.Such a trifling thing does not matter at all.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “quái” mean?
(noun) freak; monster
Is “quái” formal or informal?
quái is generally informal.